What is an essential practice while cooking to ensure food safety?

Washing hands is a critical practice in food safety as it helps prevent the spread of harmful bacteria and viruses that can contaminate food. Proper handwashing before preparing food, after handling raw ingredients, or after using the restroom significantly reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses. This practice not only safeguards the person preparing the food but also protects anyone who may consume it.

In contrast, while checking food labels, using fresh ingredients, and cooking at high temperatures are important aspects of food safety, they do not address the immediate risk of contamination that can occur during food preparation. Checking food labels helps in understanding nutritional information and allergens, using fresh ingredients ensures quality, and cooking at high temperatures kills pathogens. Nonetheless, if hands are not washed properly, any of these other practices can be rendered ineffective, emphasizing that hand hygiene is foundational in the prevention of foodborne diseases.